Former Bills LB Schobel Says He Is Retiring

The career of former Bills linebacker Aaron Schobel is over, as he is stating that he is retiring, saying he lost his hunger for playing last year.

He had been toying with the idea of playing with another team, and two teams that were reportedly in the mix were the Texans and Patriots.

The Bills released Schobel back on August 4th after nine seasons. Schobel was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and his 78 career sacks rank second in Buffalo history behind Hall of Famer Bruce Smith.

He told The Associated Press that he had been leaning toward retirement since the end of last season.

“I really didn’t have a lot of fun playing last year,” Schobel said. “The passion wasn’t there, so it was time. I took as much time as I felt like I needed to make the decision, and I think I made the right one.”

The 32-year-old said he felt retiring was still the right decision to make instead of forcing himself to play with another team like Houston or New England.

“The decision came down to whether I wanted to play,” he said. “I didn’t really feel like I wanted to do it. A lot of people probably think I’m crazy, but whenever you feel like it’s time, it’s time.”

Schobel had four years left on a $50.5 million contract extension he signed with the Bills in 2007. It’s a deal that included a $2 million roster bonus he was due March 1. Schobel did not receive that money, because the payment was due on the condition he passed a physical.

“It’s always hard to pass up money, but there’s more to life than that,” Schobel said. “If I wanted to play, I felt like I still could’ve. But it was time.”